The campaign tracker today: 01-03-2017
More defectors in Trans Nzoia join Kanu
5.55pm
Boost for independence party Kanu in Trans Nzoia after aspirants defect from Ford Kenya and the Jubilee parties.
They include Ms Diana Muyoka Lukosi (senate aspirant) and Ms Milca Psiwa, who is seeking the Saboti parliamentary seat.
Trans Nzoia County head of protocol, Robert Wamalwa also ditches Ford Kenya for Kanu.
He has shown interest in the Kiminini parliamentary seat but fears current MP Chris Wamalwa will be favoured in the nominations.
Aspirants forward seats who have also joined Kanu include David Simiyu (Kwanza), David Mutambo (Chepchoina), Moses Langat and Isaac Ndiema (Kinyoro), James Kwalia and Renson Kapchanga (Saboti).
Mudavadi Mombasa tour
4.10pm
Amani’s Musalia Mudavadi to tour Mombasa over the weekend ona vote-hunt mission for Nasa.
Tour comes only two weeks after another one by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka
Nasa official Kelvin Lunani says Mr Mudavadi will arrive at the Moi International Airport at 9am on Saturday for a two-day tour.
He will open ANC office in Tudor then hold a public rally at Freetown grounds in Nyali.
Mudavadi will then host ANC aspirants for dinner at an undisclosed venue.
On Sunday Mr Mudavadi will attend Mass at Kongowea Catholic Church.
Later he will present a bus to a community in Sparki.
He will then meet Muslim leaders at Swahili Cultural Centre before proceeding to Likoni Total grounds to address a rally.
Nasa joint nominations
2.08pm
Nasa says it is working on plan for joint nominations for some positions.
Areas like Nairobi and Mombasa earmarked as zones where joint nominations would be appropriate.
“We met on Tuesday to discuss a number of issues. We are talking about joint nominations and how best it can be done. We are yet to agree on anything so far but talks are in progress within the committee,”- James Orengo.
Biggest challenge for the coalition is how to ensure smooth joint primaries in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Already, some candidates in Mombasa have opposed plans for joint nominations.
They fear manipulations by systems within the coalition.
IEBC on election preparedness
11.45am
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati castigates politicians he says are making incorrect statement on election preparedness.
"If you tell people that the IEBC is not prepared, what are you saying? You have not talked to us. Come to us and we will give you the facts." – Chebukati
Chebukati says “business wrangles” over IEBC tenders interfering with timelines.
"If we follow the court processes with people fighting for tenders without caring about Kenya, we might not hold elections."
- About 40,000 aspirants in the August general election, a rise from 24,000 in 2013.
- Rise attributed to increased interest in ward rep position.
Politicians step up vote hunt
Politicians are stepping up the hunt for votes with 159 days to the August 8 general election.
Today, Deputy President William Ruto (Jubilee) meets Kamba leaders at his Karen home.
Mr Ruto has been meeting different delegations in Nairobi and Sugoi in Uasin Gishu County.
National Super Alliance (Nasa) principals will be in Nairobi for different deliberation meetings after a four-day tour of the country.
Mr Raila Odinga (ODM) takes a break before heading to Wajir tomorrow.
The Nasa principals have been on a two-day tour of Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties which are considered to be Jubilee strongholds.
Mr Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) will today chair a managerial meeting at the party’s headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi.
